Recap by phillip woo

Vara Pearl jumped better than usual to settle behind midfield along the fence, had three behind him coming to the final bend, angled into the open at the 250m and finished strongly. Oscar Miracle got an easy time on the lead as expected, cornered two lengths on top and grudgingly gave way. The Sylph came on from the rear to grab a placing. Winaswewish hit the line nicely after travelling near the rear. He's caught the eye in his past two starts following a step up to a mile and will be winning soon. Kitaya was given every chance following a rails run on the back of the speed and came up one-paced over the final 100m. G-One Leader settled one off the fence in fourth, straightened four deep and kept on despite a tendency to drift out under pressure. Victory Boys was patiently ridden, stayed near the inside upon straightening and closed the gap late in an improved run with a step up in distance. Favourite Pearl Warm Warm only got by beaten rivals.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (371)-ICE HOUSE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Metres

PEARL WARM WARM shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of VICTORY BOYS, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.

PEARL WARM WARM was then ridden along for a short distance before being steadied to obtain a position with cover.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, YOURTHEWONFORME was steadied away from the heels of G-ONE LEADER which was racing very tight to the inside of DIAMOND FRIENDS which got its head on the side and was inclined to shift in away from OSCAR MIRACLE.

Then passing the winning post on the first occasion, G-ONE LEADER momentarily raced in restricted room between KITAYA and DIAMOND FRIENDS which was racing tight inside OSCAR MIRACLE.

Passing the 800 Metres, PEARL WARM WARM, which was over-racing, got its head up when being severely checked away from the heels of YOURTHEWONFORME.

When PEARL WARM WARM was checked, it shifted out and inconvenienced WINASWEWISH.

THE SYLPH, which was following and proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PEARL WARM WARM in consequence.

After this incident, PEARL WARM WARM continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOURTHEWONFORME.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, YOURTHEWONFORME and WINASWEWISH raced tight.

S de Sousa (VARA PEARL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the entrance to the Straight he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of PEARL WARM WARM, causing that horse to be hampered and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled when crowded for room between VARA PEARL and YOURTHEWONFORME.

S de Sousa was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 29 February 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 21 February 2016.

Approaching the 100 Metres, WINASWEWISH and THE SYLPH bumped.

Over the concluding stages, WINASWEWISH shifted in under pressure.

Throughout the race, HAPPY MOMENTS travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of PEARL WARM WARM immediately following the race found the horse to have sustained an overreach wound to the right fore inside heel, however, the horse was trotting sound.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY MOMENTS, YOURTHEWONFORME and DIAMOND FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.